Getting Intentional About Play: The Power of Play Standards
Welcome back to season 2 of the Treasure Time podcast! In this new season, host Sophia Giblin wants to focus on building better connections and nurturing child wellbeing after the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic was an incredibly stressful and uncertain time for both parents and children. Screen time usage increased during the pandemic out of necessity, and has continued post-pandemic as well. Many children also missed out on opportunities for play and connection with others during developmental windows when they needed it most. Play serves crucial functions for children's learning, emotional development, and general wellbeing. Standards around play protect the rights of both children and adults to engage in play. When adults role model playfulness, it shows children that play is normal and acceptable for them to continue as they grow older too. Articulating what you personally value about play is the first step to consciously prioritising play in your life. You can then set standards for how to incorporate those values into your daily life. Examples of play standards include making time for having fun every day, engaging in creative activities, and choosing laugh-inducing tasks or get-togethers. The benefits of play are numerous. Play improves mood, relationships, resilience, and more. Imaginative forms of play build critical thinking and problem solving skills. Physical play connects us to others, while technology can often disconnect us even as it appears to connect us digitally. Listeners are encouraged to create their own play standards and bring more opportunities for play into their families and homes. Treasure Time provides resources to parents specifically looking to build connections with their children through play. Use code PODCAST to get 10% off the Treasure Time course at www.treasuretime.co.uk